Mr. Venies A MORAL TALE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. BY A LADY. He who acts from principle shall be exposed to no wounds but IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: Printed by A. J. Valpy, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. SOLD BY HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY; SEELEY CASTLE STREET, OXFORD STREET. 1822. INFLUENCE. CHAPTER I. "THIS day," said Herbert as he joined the cheerful party assembled round the breakfast table at Llanvair, "hails with its brightest smiles, the first return of an autumnal sun. September thus opens to us a scene fraught with new glories—new anticipations. Yet it is man, for whom these varied pleasures are ordained, who alone sighs over the remembrance of past pleasures, and would murmur at their close, as if joy were confined to one fleeting season, or as if winter could close that source of happiness which is opened to the christian in every season, age and country." Why, Herbert," said Louis, looking at Infl. VOL. II. Α the serious countenance of his friend, “I thought you went to bed last night a very harlequin, but the 'spirit of your dream' seems changed, and morning finds you turned moralist." “And I think,” replied Herbert, “that your heart will catch the spirit of my philosophy, for I guess this letter," added he, taking one directed to Louis from a packet which he held in his hand, "will somewhat sadden that bright smile of yours." "An official one, in all due submission to its red imperials," exclaimed Louis, "and a summons in good earnest! Well," added he, sighing, "I expected it, but it comes as a sad antidote to a merry breakfast." “Surely,” said Lady Warton, addressing Herbert and Louis alternately, "you are not yet called away from us?" "I am sorry to say," replied. Herbert, "that this day fortnight is fixed on for our return to Lymington. That letter to Louis came enclosed in a packet from my mother, who tells me that my commission has been granted, and my passage to India already secured in one of the ships going out in the October fleet. Louis must also join his regiment in about a fortnight, and my mother wishes us to return with him, that I may remain with her the few last weeks of my being in England: our summons therefore of course admits of no further reprieve." "This is indeed a sad spirit come over the face of things," said Lady Warton; "I hope however that we shall all meet again-" "I fear," replied Herbert gravely, "that many a summer's sun must bronze my face before I can again behold the country that will always be the dearest to my heart." Lady Warton Looked at Herbert with an expression of almost maternal affection, and caught the sadness of his forebodings, as she too truly believed the prophecy; "and yet," thought she, "why should I mourn, his is the path of duty, and he will probably return in a few years, in the full |